NEW YORK (Nov. 29, 2006) -- It seemed like a normal race morning in the
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

The drivers awoke early, attended a meeting with NASCAR President Mike
Helton, donned their uniforms, signed autographs, participated in live
television interviews, climbed into their race cars and drove off to the
cheers of their fans.

But this was no normal race morning.

The setting was Times Square in New York City. The drivers took to the
streets of New York for the NASCAR "Victory Lap," which began with a live
national television appearance on ABC's Good Morning America.

A procession of the Top 10 drivers and cars departed from Good Morning
America's Times Square Studios and ended at the ESPN Zone restaurant, where
the drivers met with sponsors and media.

"It's pretty neat to be able to block off the streets of New York like they
did today," said Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 GM Goodwrench
Chevrolet. "It says a lot for New York accepting what we do and how big our
sport has become. It's great to see all the people watching and
participating."

Mark Martin (No. 6 AAA Ford) has finished in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Top 10 in
16 of the last 18 seasons, including three consecutive appearances in the
Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. His unique, long-term perspective on
NASCAR's visits to New York -- which date back to 1982 -- gave him plenty of
appreciation for this year's warm welcome from the City.

"I've been fortunate enough to be part of [the Chase] for all three years,"
said Martin. "It's gotten bigger every year. It really gives me a warm
feeling about our sport, that I love so much, to see the folks here support
it the way they have.

Where past champions have gone before ... NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion
Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet), posed for photos in Times Square
after the Victory Lap was completed. During the shoot, a feature of NASCAR's
Champion's Week in New York for many years, was especially poignant for
Johnson -- a moment he now shares with dozens of other series champions who
came before him.

"The pictures we took in Times Square; I've seen those photos with all of
the other champions and it was a moment I was really looking forward to,"
said Johnson. "We were out there doing the photos and there were fans
everywhere, screaming and yelling and getting involved. That really made it
fun.

"I think our season speaks for itself," said Johnson. "I'm more focused on
experiencing this moment with my wife, with my team, with Mr. [Rick]
Hendrick [car owner], with Chad [Knaus, crew chief] -- everything that we
have from here on out is revolved around sharing this moment with the team
members and with the sponsor. We are one big family and really looking
forward to that."

With the Victory Lap completed, the countdown continues toward the NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Friday evening. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
Series champion Jimmie Johnson has been joined in New York by the rest of
the Top 10 drivers, along with 11th-place finisher Tony Stewart (No. 20 The
Home Depot Chevrolet).

Next up for this exclusive group is the NASCAR / National Motorsports Press
Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers luncheon on Thursday. This prestigious
event, at Cipriani on 42nd Street, includes presentations to the special
award winners of 2006. In addition, the champions from all of NASCAR's other
series will be recognized.

After Thursday's luncheon, all of the champions will gather for their annual
champions' photo shoot, at Rockefeller Plaza. On Thursday evening, the group
of champions will be treated to an exclusive Champions' Dinner at the
Waldorf=Astoria.

Friday: Johnson and his team will pose for formal photos on New York's Park
Avenue before attending several pre-awards ceremony receptions. Then,
Johnson officially will be crowned NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion; the
Awards Ceremony begins at 7 p.m. in the Waldorf=Astoria's Grand Ballroom.
SPEED will broadcast a live Awards Ceremony pre-show, "NASCAR Takes
Manhattan," beginning at 7 p.m. (ET), while TNT will air the ceremony at 9
p.m. (ET).

Pit Stop Tour ... For any local race fans that missed the Victory Lap, several
slower-moving cars will be visible throughout Champion's Week. In fact,
several race cars will be parked on display at many popular New York
locations every day this week.

From 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., today through Friday, six city locations will host
the Champion's Week Pit Stop Tour, where fans can view NASCAR stock cars up
close. The locations are: Times Square/Military Island (Broadway between
43rd and 44th Streets); Bryant Park (6th Avenue between 40th and 41st
Streets); by the News Corp. Building (6th Avenue between 48th and 49th
Streets); Madison Square Garden (7th Avenue between 31st and 32nd Streets);
at the Tissot Retail Gallery/Tourneau Atrium (57th & Madison Avenue); and
the Sprint retail store located at 175 5th Avenue, between 22nd and 23rd
Streets.